Having a Ball.When one is reporting on a performance from our team, or even previewing the same, it's always nice to have a theme, I think.
It certainly gives the readers, hopefully, a little more interest than just a bland statement of facts - let's be honest- you can get that anywhere, and undoubtedly to a more professional standard, so it seems wise to veer somewhat off the beaten track.
To that end, today's missive comes to you from slightly left-field, with the precise hope that you at least enjoy. After all, light-hearted almost guarantees a sympathetic take from the reader, given, of course, that you don't alienate by offence.
So to those of a tender disposition, perhaps now is the time to skip some painful paragraphs.
My friend Nigel Davies, who blogs from the estimable A Touch Far Vetched, Tweeted on Saturday afternoon prior to the game that in exchange for a win at today's fixture v Wigan Away, he'd happily donate a left testicle for a win.
My immediate response via the same medium was that I would match his offer with a right sided equivalent such that the victory would bring a matching pair, as it were. It only seemed fair to me, and I like to think it gives a measure of how much we Swans care.
All done in jest (I think), but if you should happen to see a couple of limping Welshmen at next week's home game against Citeh, have a care, PLEASE. Perhaps the footballing Gods have, after all, extracted their pledged pound of flesh.
Still, we both think it's worth it, because the Swansea victory was both deserved and well received.
So, clutching my manhood (figuratively), I was the recipient of the *****.tv Internet feed, and settled down to watch the latest episode of our decent assault on the Premier League.
Incidentally, for those with some sympathy, famous exponents of the singular testicular approach can be found here.... . We all know about Hitler, but there are others, and we are not alone.
Whilst we jugglers prepared, the teams announced were these.....
Wigan Athletic:
Al Habsi, Alcaraz, McCarthy, Caldwell (c), Di Santo, Gomez, McArthur, Boyce, Sammon, Beausejour, Figueroa
subs: Kirkland, Crusat, Watson, Moses, Rodallega, Diame, Stam
Swansea City:
Vorm, Rangel, Williams (c), Caulker, Taylor, Britton, Allen, Sigurdsson, Sinclair, Dyer, Graham
subs: Tremmel, Tate, Routledge, Monk, McEachran, Gower, Moore
Brendan Rodgers had gone with an unchanged 10 outfield, with the only replacement being the fit-again Michel Vorm in goal, to replace Gerhard Tremmel.
Senor "him-from-the-past" had set his side out in a 4-4-2, which immediately filled me with optimism, since on skill alone it boded well for us, and the numerical superiority conceded made me expect an even better outcome.
Al Habsi, Alcaraz, McCarthy, Caldwell (c), Di Santo, Gomez, McArthur, Boyce, Sammon, Beausejour, Figueroa
subs: Kirkland, Crusat, Watson, Moses, Rodallega, Diame, Stam
Swansea City:
Vorm, Rangel, Williams (c), Caulker, Taylor, Britton, Allen, Sigurdsson, Sinclair, Dyer, Graham
subs: Tremmel, Tate, Routledge, Monk, McEachran, Gower, Moore
Brendan Rodgers had gone with an unchanged 10 outfield, with the only replacement being the fit-again Michel Vorm in goal, to replace Gerhard Tremmel.
Senor "him-from-the-past" had set his side out in a 4-4-2, which immediately filled me with optimism, since on skill alone it boded well for us, and the numerical superiority conceded made me expect an even better outcome.
And so, it entailed, to be.
The game opened with Swansea prepared to test their technical superiority against what Wigan could put up, and the predominance of possession and actual control of the game was only occasionally tested by the insistence of the Swans to play everything in a tight and frightening progress from the back, given that El Traitor had instructed Wigan to press hard - and, just now and then - it caused a few wobbles.
No matter, as we got further into the game, the charge and direction was ours. The proof of that was in Wigan's increasingly frantic scrambling for the ball, and the visitors burgeoning confidence in taking on and testing the Homesters early.
Sinclair with Taylor, and Rangel with Dyer, had proved effective combinations when from a one two between the latter pair, Dyer's cross was forced behind for a corner.
Now's the time to point out the value of systems, and tactical superiority.
We Swans have become accustomed to our 4-2-3-1 with Leon and Joey withdrawn behind Gylfi Sigurdsson, with Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair stretching wide, and Danny Graham grafting up front. Wigan, to combat, went 4-4-2 with Beausejour left, Gomez and McArthur central, and McArthy wide, with Sammon and Di Santo foraging forward.
The limitation of this was straightforward - 2 central against 3 central = -1, and did they suffer for it. Maths, and it's tactics, is sometimes this simple.
As the half progressed, Swansea's numerical superiority in this area led to more and more control. The sketchy and scattered early attacks at Wigan became more and more threatening, leading the Home crowd to begin grumbling, and us Jacks to see increasing threat.
The first half play and the chances created were a reflection of this outcome.
Both Britton and Allen, from a frantic start, settled down to both retain the ball and begin to set up decisive situations. Sigurdsson, meanwhile, began to show why Hoffenheim payed Reading some £6m to secure his signature, by varying his play from defensive scrapping on the half way line to genuine threat toward goal, and mixing the threat of a shot to a series of slotted, attacking passes.
It doesn't half perk you up when the side is playing well, and I began to enjoy the game in the knowledge that we were realistically the superior side. So, what was to come?
One Sigurdsson pass put Nathan Dyer clear, but his cross cum shot was repelled by Ali Al Habsi, with perhaps Danny Graham better placed for a pull back.
At the back, the best Wigan chances saw Vorm beat out Di Santo's header from a Beausejour cross, and Boyce's far post header was blocked, too. Di Santo's later effort suffered the same fate.
Again, the Swans carved a chance when Scott Sinclair, who had been threatening, after a long meandering run from the left, was put clear by a neat one two in the inside right channel, and on rounding the keeper on the outside, saw his low effort cleared off the line by McArthur.
With the clock running into extras at half time, Swansea conjured one more attack, and this one was crucial. Caulker, advancing forward, chipped a ball into Sigurdsson, just outside the box at inside left. He took it with his first touch and moved it onto his right, and hit a dipping screamer high beyond Al Habsi's left hand to ripple the net. The goal was an absolute peach - 1-0, and it was the last action of the first half.
What a great way to go into the break- and it was no more than Swansea deserved.
At half time, Wigan replaced McArthur and Sammon with Moses and Diabe, and went to match the Swans 4-2-3-1 with Moses wide right, and at last they began to create.
Incidentally, it's reported that Chairman Whelan is to hold "crisis" talks with RM over the decision to leave these 2 players and Rodallega on the bench at the start, and I must say that when I saw Moses sitting down at the start, I was more than pleased.
They fed the ball regularly to Moses and he began to test Taylor, besting him on a couple of early occasions to the consternation of our defence, but to NT's credit, he got a hold of him from then on.
Whilst Wigan created half chances, Swansea should have gone 2 up when Joe Allen nicked the ball from a press and was put clear by Dyer, only to see Al Habsi turn his shot wide.
No matter.
The game opened with Swansea prepared to test their technical superiority against what Wigan could put up, and the predominance of possession and actual control of the game was only occasionally tested by the insistence of the Swans to play everything in a tight and frightening progress from the back, given that El Traitor had instructed Wigan to press hard - and, just now and then - it caused a few wobbles.
No matter, as we got further into the game, the charge and direction was ours. The proof of that was in Wigan's increasingly frantic scrambling for the ball, and the visitors burgeoning confidence in taking on and testing the Homesters early.
Sinclair with Taylor, and Rangel with Dyer, had proved effective combinations when from a one two between the latter pair, Dyer's cross was forced behind for a corner.
Now's the time to point out the value of systems, and tactical superiority.
We Swans have become accustomed to our 4-2-3-1 with Leon and Joey withdrawn behind Gylfi Sigurdsson, with Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair stretching wide, and Danny Graham grafting up front. Wigan, to combat, went 4-4-2 with Beausejour left, Gomez and McArthur central, and McArthy wide, with Sammon and Di Santo foraging forward.
The limitation of this was straightforward - 2 central against 3 central = -1, and did they suffer for it. Maths, and it's tactics, is sometimes this simple.
As the half progressed, Swansea's numerical superiority in this area led to more and more control. The sketchy and scattered early attacks at Wigan became more and more threatening, leading the Home crowd to begin grumbling, and us Jacks to see increasing threat.
The first half play and the chances created were a reflection of this outcome.
Both Britton and Allen, from a frantic start, settled down to both retain the ball and begin to set up decisive situations. Sigurdsson, meanwhile, began to show why Hoffenheim payed Reading some £6m to secure his signature, by varying his play from defensive scrapping on the half way line to genuine threat toward goal, and mixing the threat of a shot to a series of slotted, attacking passes.
It doesn't half perk you up when the side is playing well, and I began to enjoy the game in the knowledge that we were realistically the superior side. So, what was to come?
One Sigurdsson pass put Nathan Dyer clear, but his cross cum shot was repelled by Ali Al Habsi, with perhaps Danny Graham better placed for a pull back.
At the back, the best Wigan chances saw Vorm beat out Di Santo's header from a Beausejour cross, and Boyce's far post header was blocked, too. Di Santo's later effort suffered the same fate.
Again, the Swans carved a chance when Scott Sinclair, who had been threatening, after a long meandering run from the left, was put clear by a neat one two in the inside right channel, and on rounding the keeper on the outside, saw his low effort cleared off the line by McArthur.
With the clock running into extras at half time, Swansea conjured one more attack, and this one was crucial. Caulker, advancing forward, chipped a ball into Sigurdsson, just outside the box at inside left. He took it with his first touch and moved it onto his right, and hit a dipping screamer high beyond Al Habsi's left hand to ripple the net. The goal was an absolute peach - 1-0, and it was the last action of the first half.
What a great way to go into the break- and it was no more than Swansea deserved.
At half time, Wigan replaced McArthur and Sammon with Moses and Diabe, and went to match the Swans 4-2-3-1 with Moses wide right, and at last they began to create.
Incidentally, it's reported that Chairman Whelan is to hold "crisis" talks with RM over the decision to leave these 2 players and Rodallega on the bench at the start, and I must say that when I saw Moses sitting down at the start, I was more than pleased.
They fed the ball regularly to Moses and he began to test Taylor, besting him on a couple of early occasions to the consternation of our defence, but to NT's credit, he got a hold of him from then on.
Whilst Wigan created half chances, Swansea should have gone 2 up when Joe Allen nicked the ball from a press and was put clear by Dyer, only to see Al Habsi turn his shot wide.
No matter.
From the resulting corner, the ball was cleared only as far as Dyer, some 25yds out, and his quick feet won a foul.
Sigurdsson lined it up, and whilst Danny Graham's cross box run seemed to freeze Al Habsi in the Wigan goal, the quality of the strike was such that it ripped into the net at the far corner satisfyingly for us Swans. 2-0, and now we were motoring.
Sigurdsson was proving his ability and effectiveness, he really is a quality Premier League quality footballer, who is melding more and more to our style. What's more, he's obviously enjoying it too, as both his goal celebrations showed.
At a couple of goals in front, Swansea then went to put us Jacks through the mill again, although the reason was somewhat harsh.
The first chance of this more open second half had seen a Moses cross test the Swans rearguard, but Vorm and the others stood strong.It was to remain the case.
On 60m came the incident that shaped the half, and the subsequent rearguard action.
The ball ran loose in Midfield, with both Nathan Dyer and Jordi Gomez approaching to compete for it. Dyer skipped the last stride to get first touch on the ball, which was about 12ins off the ground, but I think the reason Mr Marriner was so harsh, was dual - firstly, Dyer's foot was front on, with the toe slightly raised, so it "could" be construed as a studs up approach (though harshly) and secondly the Gomez touch was with the outside of the foot, and we all know his reaction in a 50/50 ball - he tumbled spectacularly and rolled three or four times for effect, so giving the Ref the impression he'd been assaulted by Ben Thatcher or Vinnie Jones. He is a sly one, and Mr Marriner bought it - sending off Dyer immediately with a straight red.
We Swans all felt straight away that the decision was mistakenly cruel and just plain wrong, and it was small comfort to see from all the televised highlights since- MoTD, Goals on Sunday, MoTD2 etc- that each and every pundit agrees.
The nature of the game was now changed - at 10 vs 11 it always is - and Swansea, to be fair, immediately knuckled down to absorb the inevitable pressure, with the attacking players doing their fair share of renewed pressing and harassing of Wigan build up play, and it was from here on that the re-assuring presence of Vorm was felt most keenly ; in any one on one, you always feel as if he'll come out on top, and a brave block from one such chance against Rodallega, later on introduced, a classic example of such type.
BR reinforced the set up fairly quickly on 63m, replacing the goalscorer Sigurdsson with Alan Tate, who went to RB, and pushing Rangel forward into right Midfield, the 4-4-1 set up stood strong, and it was further stiffened by Luke Moore's coming on for the exhausted Danny Graham on 75m. His hold up and retention of the ball played a valuable part in the Team's stability in maintaining the status quo. He took a fearsome fall too, but was bravely able to carry on.
The quality and success of the performance always comes in reflection, and the nature of its worth in when you recall how many clear-cut opportunities Wigan managed - and that was none, really - it was more a preponderance of half chances mainly from shots from outside the immediate danger zone.
Caulker and Williams had the aerial and central routes locked up, and Tate/Rangel and Taylor/Sinclair made sure that Wigan couldn't exploit width to be getting either beyond or around the outside.
From a corner, a glanced Moses header flashed wide and beyond Alcaraz as he was closing, but you could see the gradual slump in the Latics posture even as the crowd began streaming for the exits as if there were cars with the engines running waiting patiently outside to carry them home. You know what I mean, Keep the car running.
So Swansea ran down the clock, increasingly comfortably to a crescendo of increasing boos from the Home fans in their pent-up frustration at their team's failure to make a mark.
Even the 5 Fergie-Time minutes at the end failed to dampen my spirits, and the 2-0 victory set me thinking on the wisdom of offering a physical hostage to fortune, albeit in jest Still, it's the SPIRIT of the donations we make to our Club that's important, isn't it ? I like to think so, anyway.
Both Managers after match interviews reflected the reality of the situation, with a beaming Brendan Rodgers a marked contrast to a subdued Roberto Martinez, justifiably so, I thought.
One of the key issues within yesterday's game, of course, was that it meant we have still not lost more than 2 consecutive PL games, and the squad were more than aware of that fact, one, moreover, that if we can maintain for the rest of the season will absolutely guarantee our place within the division. Hey, I know that's setting the bar at a difficult height, but it's one I believe the Manager will have already communicated to the players.
The performance yesterday was a good one, which should make all of us very proud. Roberto Martinez was part of our development and history, but, I'd suggest, we've evolved since then and we can confidently put that stage a little further distant into our recent past.
Sigurdsson was proving his ability and effectiveness, he really is a quality Premier League quality footballer, who is melding more and more to our style. What's more, he's obviously enjoying it too, as both his goal celebrations showed.
At a couple of goals in front, Swansea then went to put us Jacks through the mill again, although the reason was somewhat harsh.
The first chance of this more open second half had seen a Moses cross test the Swans rearguard, but Vorm and the others stood strong.It was to remain the case.
On 60m came the incident that shaped the half, and the subsequent rearguard action.
The ball ran loose in Midfield, with both Nathan Dyer and Jordi Gomez approaching to compete for it. Dyer skipped the last stride to get first touch on the ball, which was about 12ins off the ground, but I think the reason Mr Marriner was so harsh, was dual - firstly, Dyer's foot was front on, with the toe slightly raised, so it "could" be construed as a studs up approach (though harshly) and secondly the Gomez touch was with the outside of the foot, and we all know his reaction in a 50/50 ball - he tumbled spectacularly and rolled three or four times for effect, so giving the Ref the impression he'd been assaulted by Ben Thatcher or Vinnie Jones. He is a sly one, and Mr Marriner bought it - sending off Dyer immediately with a straight red.
We Swans all felt straight away that the decision was mistakenly cruel and just plain wrong, and it was small comfort to see from all the televised highlights since- MoTD, Goals on Sunday, MoTD2 etc- that each and every pundit agrees.
The nature of the game was now changed - at 10 vs 11 it always is - and Swansea, to be fair, immediately knuckled down to absorb the inevitable pressure, with the attacking players doing their fair share of renewed pressing and harassing of Wigan build up play, and it was from here on that the re-assuring presence of Vorm was felt most keenly ; in any one on one, you always feel as if he'll come out on top, and a brave block from one such chance against Rodallega, later on introduced, a classic example of such type.
BR reinforced the set up fairly quickly on 63m, replacing the goalscorer Sigurdsson with Alan Tate, who went to RB, and pushing Rangel forward into right Midfield, the 4-4-1 set up stood strong, and it was further stiffened by Luke Moore's coming on for the exhausted Danny Graham on 75m. His hold up and retention of the ball played a valuable part in the Team's stability in maintaining the status quo. He took a fearsome fall too, but was bravely able to carry on.
The quality and success of the performance always comes in reflection, and the nature of its worth in when you recall how many clear-cut opportunities Wigan managed - and that was none, really - it was more a preponderance of half chances mainly from shots from outside the immediate danger zone.
Caulker and Williams had the aerial and central routes locked up, and Tate/Rangel and Taylor/Sinclair made sure that Wigan couldn't exploit width to be getting either beyond or around the outside.
From a corner, a glanced Moses header flashed wide and beyond Alcaraz as he was closing, but you could see the gradual slump in the Latics posture even as the crowd began streaming for the exits as if there were cars with the engines running waiting patiently outside to carry them home. You know what I mean, Keep the car running.
So Swansea ran down the clock, increasingly comfortably to a crescendo of increasing boos from the Home fans in their pent-up frustration at their team's failure to make a mark.
Even the 5 Fergie-Time minutes at the end failed to dampen my spirits, and the 2-0 victory set me thinking on the wisdom of offering a physical hostage to fortune, albeit in jest Still, it's the SPIRIT of the donations we make to our Club that's important, isn't it ? I like to think so, anyway.
Both Managers after match interviews reflected the reality of the situation, with a beaming Brendan Rodgers a marked contrast to a subdued Roberto Martinez, justifiably so, I thought.
One of the key issues within yesterday's game, of course, was that it meant we have still not lost more than 2 consecutive PL games, and the squad were more than aware of that fact, one, moreover, that if we can maintain for the rest of the season will absolutely guarantee our place within the division. Hey, I know that's setting the bar at a difficult height, but it's one I believe the Manager will have already communicated to the players.
The performance yesterday was a good one, which should make all of us very proud. Roberto Martinez was part of our development and history, but, I'd suggest, we've evolved since then and we can confidently put that stage a little further distant into our recent past.
We're better than that, now. Lets leave Wigan Athletic, with no disrespect intended, to their own devices and look to our own immediate future, because that's what all of our own troops will be doing.
Our reward from this unrelenting fixture list is our next Home match up, which just happens to be to the Champions elect (in some people's eyes), Manchester City, with their galaxy of footballing talent. I really am looking forward to this fantastic prospect.
In previewing the Wigan game, I introduced the figure of George Orwell and his historically important "The Road to Wigan Pier". As Orwell ultimately said........"Well I am afraid I must tell you that Wigan Pier doesn't exist. I made a journey specially to see it in 1936 and I couldn't find it. It did exist once, however, and to judge from the photographs it must have been about twenty feet long"
In contrast, our team did find it, in the metaphoric sense, and, to our eternal delight, enjoyed the experience.
In that sense, we can truly say..."Been there, done that, worn the T-Shirt, and so...."
Onward, Swansea City.
#
See you later in the week for a hopefully enjoyable preview of that Citeh game.
##
Btw., the 2 goals and the key tackle/sending off can be found here.
Our reward from this unrelenting fixture list is our next Home match up, which just happens to be to the Champions elect (in some people's eyes), Manchester City, with their galaxy of footballing talent. I really am looking forward to this fantastic prospect.
In previewing the Wigan game, I introduced the figure of George Orwell and his historically important "The Road to Wigan Pier". As Orwell ultimately said........"Well I am afraid I must tell you that Wigan Pier doesn't exist. I made a journey specially to see it in 1936 and I couldn't find it. It did exist once, however, and to judge from the photographs it must have been about twenty feet long"
In contrast, our team did find it, in the metaphoric sense, and, to our eternal delight, enjoyed the experience.
In that sense, we can truly say..."Been there, done that, worn the T-Shirt, and so...."
Onward, Swansea City.
#
See you later in the week for a hopefully enjoyable preview of that Citeh game.
##
Btw., the 2 goals and the key tackle/sending off can be found here.
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